http://www.earth-stream.com/Earth/Clean-Energy/Solar/Earth_Clean-Energy_Solar_18_151_660.html Press Review of the Earth from the most relevant websites. Keep in touch with the Earth and your future ! fr-FR http://www.earth-stream.com/logo-stream-Earth.png http://www.earth-stream.com Fri, 03 Oct 2008 09:25:16 GMT http://www.earth-stream.com/Earth/Clean-Energy/Solar/A-charged-debate-over-Prop-7-renewable-energy-plan_18_151_660_134832.html The measure would require utilities in the state to get half their power from renewable energy by 2025. Foes say it would actually hamper electricity production from alternate sources. Proposition 7 on the November ballot aims to hurry the day when more of California's electricity comes from windmills, solar panels and other oil-free sources, requiring the state's utilities to get half their power from renewable energy by 2025. Fri, 03 Oct 2008 01:16:35 GMT http://www.earth-stream.com/Earth/Clean-Energy/Solar/What-to-Look-Forward-to-in-2009_18_151_660_134718.html I know it’s a little premature to be talking about 2009 but I wanted to beat the rush, so here are some of things we have to look forward to in 2009. Honda hybrid - Apparently someone finally convinced Honda that the ‘cover up half of the back tire’ look was downright ugly and so in 5 short months Honda lovers can own a Honda hybrid …without having to tint the windows so much. No word yet on mpg. Energy - What do the Phoenix Suns, Jay Leno, and Sun Chips have in common? They’ve all gone solar. Look for the conversation surrounding energy sources to turn up a notch, what with T. Boone flying everywhere to promote his energy plan for the U.S.A., and businesses taking energy procurement or energy-creation under their own wings as part of company strategy. In 2009, and more so in the following years, expect to see the energy industry decentralize and the ability to choose where you get your energy from. What Dean Foods is doing in Gooding, ID (turning cow poo into energy) is a good example of what is down the road. Read more of this story » Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:29:38 GMT http://www.earth-stream.com/Earth/Clean-Energy/Solar/Our-Sun-Is-Not-A-Perfect-Sphere_18_151_660_134714.html Image 1: "Cantaloupe ridges" on the sun. The glowing white magnetic network is what gives the sun its extra oblateness during times of high solar activity. Amateur astronomer Gary Palmer took the picture in July 2005 using a violet calcium-K filter. Credit: Gary PalmerImage 2: In this diagram, the sun's oblateness has been magnified 10,000 times for easy visibility. The blue curve traces the sun's shape averaged over a three month period. The black asterisked curve traces a shorter 10-day average. The "wiggles" in the 10-day curve are real, caused by strong magnetic ridges in the vicinity of sunspots. Credit: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:25:16 GMT http://www.earth-stream.com/Earth/Clean-Energy/Solar/Going-Solar-Lessons-from-Experience_18_151_660_134711.html (One) TreeHugger Goes Solar We’re not quite at the stage where every roof boasts a solar water heater, as Lloyd has advocated, but there is no doubt that as energy prices rise, solar water heating becomes increasingly attractive. And I’m proud to say that today my wife and I took our first solar showers – yes, we’ve finally taken the plunge and gone solar. Because we weren’t confident enough in our DIY skills, we avoided making our own solar hot water heater, and i... Thu, 02 Oct 2008 23:59:19 GMT http://www.earth-stream.com/Earth/Clean-Energy/Solar/Senate-OKs-energy-tax-breaks-in-bailout-bill_18_151_660_134707.html Reuters: The Senate late on Wednesday approved legislation extending billions of dollars in tax credits for the solar, wind and biodiesel industries as part of a $700 billion rescue plan for Wall Street. The legislation would extend for one year the production tax credit for wind energy, with an eight-year extension for investment tax credits for solar energy projects. Buyers of plug-in electric cars would receive tax credits ranging from $2,500 to $7,500. The bill also provides ... Thu, 02 Oct 2008 20:08:06 GMT http://www.earth-stream.com/Earth/Clean-Energy/Solar/-Home-of-the-Future-Is-Sacramento-s-First-LEED-Platinum-Home_18_151_660_134562.html Photo via SMUD The "Home of the Future" is the goal of BP Solar and OCR Solar & Roofing. They’ve teamed up to create a home that is the most state-of-the-art in energy efficiency. Their design and construction hopes to encapsulate everything a homeowner could want in terms of energy production, storage and consumption. And they've put together quite the home to show off the potential of future dwellings. ... Thu, 02 Oct 2008 18:51:41 GMT http://www.earth-stream.com/Earth/Clean-Energy/Solar/Amazing-Rotating-Dome-Home_18_151_660_134542.html With the recent spate of natural disasters, it’s no wonder that canny designers have created homes able to withstand the elements. Earthquake-proof, hurricane-resistant, thermal efficiencies and solar power are just some of the selling points touted by Solalaya, the US distributor of Domespace Homes. Resembling something from outer space, the design and concept are unique. Thu, 02 Oct 2008 18:20:45 GMT http://www.earth-stream.com/Earth/Clean-Energy/Solar/Tax-credits-promise-brighter-outlook-for-solar-energy_18_151_660_134500.html If the US extends tax credits for commercial and residential solar power, solar installations will get a major boost Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:59:05 GMT http://www.earth-stream.com/Earth/Clean-Energy/Solar/Sharp-to-boost-thin-film-solar-capacity-6-fold-to-6000-MW-by-2014-U-S-hits-snooze-button_18_151_660_134481.html The world’s second-largest maker of solar batteries plans a massive increase in capacity to meet soaring demand. Bloomberg reports: The company will raise the capacity to 6 gigawatts as early as 2014, from 1 gigawatt estimated for 2010… Sharp, which lost its market-leading position to Thalheim, Germany-based Q-Cells AG last year, is focusing on expanding its [...] Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:58:35 GMT http://www.earth-stream.com/Earth/Clean-Energy/Solar/Could-The-Credit-Crunch-Kill-Green-Energy-_18_151_660_134469.html Forbes: The looming threat of climate change and soaring energy prices has attracted vast amounts of capital into clean energy companies in the past few years. In 2007, the sector attracted $2.2 billion in venture-backed investments, up 45% from 2006. Biofuels production jumped from 4.9 billion gallons in 2006 to roughly 6.5 billion gallons last year. Meanwhile, in 2007 the U.S. added 314 megawatts of new solar energy systems to the grid, up by 125% from the previous year. In the past ... Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:58:24 GMT http://www.earth-stream.com/Earth/Clean-Energy/Solar/Friggebod-Fun-The-Mini-House-by-Jonas-Wagell_18_151_660_134466.html Friggebods are small swedish cottages; they don't need building permits for less than 150 square feet. This design by Jonas Wagell is available for purchase for 12,200 euros plus freight, with a solar power module for only 1,400 euros. A bath and kitchen module is also available.... Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:03:38 GMT http://www.earth-stream.com/Earth/Clean-Energy/Solar/ankelite-solar-powered-safety-light_18_151_660_134443.html Cycling safety accessories manufacturer, Pedalite, will start selling its eco-friendly, solar powered,  Ankelite sometime around December. This solar gadget is designed to fit around the ankle or arm of you athletic types - this safety light can charge in either natural or artificial light and provides 3 hours of flashing light on a full charge.  The [...] Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:02:46 GMT http://www.earth-stream.com/Earth/Clean-Energy/Solar/Frank-Gehry-As-Solar-Power-Developer-Paint-On-Solar-Steel-Could-Be-Here-in-Three-Years_18_151_660_134439.html photo: Chet Yeary II/ If Corus Group, an Anglo-Dutch steel manufacturer, has its way and their new work into developing solar cell paint comes to pass, the whole concept of what types of material can be used for generate electricity through photovoltaics could change. At least that’s the promise. Renewable Energy World is saying that production on Corus’ solar steel sheets could begin in three years, though doesn’t really go beyond that in te... Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:35:42 GMT http://www.earth-stream.com/Earth/Clean-Energy/Solar/Chicago-s-Fashion-Week-Kicks-Off-With-New-Eco-Fashion-Addition-~-MoSS_18_151_660_134425.html A couple weeks ago, Kelli announced that Chicago’s fourth annual Fashion Week kicks off today, but not without the absolutely brand new addition of MoSS.  Curated by Pivot Boutique, Chicago’s first boutique dedicated to eco-fashion, this event will “features clothing, accessories and furniture that inspire and respond to current form and function necessities, without compromising our environmental abilities to meet future needs“ .  Featured designers and collaborators include Annie Novotny of Frei Designs, Lara Miller, Alice Berry, Jane Palmer and Marianne Fairbanks of Noon Solar, Joshua Height of Brickermade and Michele Fitzpatrick of Verde Design Studio. Stay tuned next week as Fashion Week hits Portland… Read more of this story » Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:34:42 GMT http://www.earth-stream.com/Earth/Clean-Energy/Solar/BioSolar-Announces-BioPolymer-Backsheet-for-Solar-Photovoltaics_18_151_660_134423.html BioSolar, Inc. has announced that materials derived from cotton and castor beans compose the company’s newly developed BioBacksheet™ product. BioBacksheet™ is intended to be an alternative to the base layer materials already in use on photovoltaic solar cells. Traditionally, such "backsheets" are made from a petroleum-based film, such as Dupont Tedlar™. Why Castor Beans? Nylon-11, which is indeed made from an extract of the castor bean, was developed by German scientists as an adaptation to the petroleum sh... Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:10:51 GMT http://www.earth-stream.com/Earth/Clean-Energy/Solar/You-Say-You-re-Eco-Friendly-but-is-Your-PC-Consumers-Can-Save-Energy-and-Think-Green-When-Buying-and-Discarding-Computers_18_151_660_134410.html By Azadeh Ensha Reusable tote bag? Check. Prius? Check. Rooftop solar panels? Check. In the bid to secure your green bragging rights, you have the usual suspects covered. Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:07:05 GMT http://www.earth-stream.com/Earth/Clean-Energy/Solar/Traditional-Medicinals-Opens-Up-World-s-Biggest-Solar-Powered-Tea-Factory_18_151_660_134403.html Traditional Medicinal's tea facility; photo via Traditional Medicinal In a very cool continuation of using the sun to create the world's most consumed beverage, Traditional Medicinals took a giant leap forward and has completed an installation that makes it the world's largest solar powered tea factory. Traditional Medicinals has always tried to be green – and we don’t just mean in their tea selection. For quite awhile now, they’ve used wind credits to ... Thu, 02 Oct 2008 09:17:02 GMT http://www.earth-stream.com/Earth/Clean-Energy/Solar/California-Mexico-border-technology-park-gets-green-boost_18_151_660_134325.html Silicon Border Development will move ahead with a science park in Mexicali, Mexico, targeting solar energy firms. A long-delayed project to attract computer chip makers to the Mexico-California border is getting a green makeover. Thu, 02 Oct 2008 04:50:59 GMT http://www.earth-stream.com/Earth/Clean-Energy/Solar/Italian-Wind-Farmers-to-Plant-Solar-Panels-Around-Turbines_18_151_660_134280.html If all goes to plan, solar panels placed at the bases of the wind turbines will feed power through the farm’s existing grid. Wind-energy purveyors Moncada Energy Group hope to install thin-film solar panels at its existing wind farms by the end of next year. The solar panels could increase power production at Moncada’s farms from 105 megawatts to over 500 megawatts, with the panels overtaking the production from the turbines themselves. While the wind turbines work best under the high-speed gusts of nighttime, the solar panels will thrive during the day under the Mediterranean sun. Photo Credit: Chiarra Marra on Flickr under Creative Commons license. Thu, 02 Oct 2008 03:54:06 GMT http://www.earth-stream.com/Earth/Clean-Energy/Solar/Senate-Bailout-Plan-Could-be-Boon-for-Alternative-Energies-Home-Solar_18_151_660_134275.html Lost in the economic and political circus of the recent weeks was the failure of congress to extend tax credits for alternative energy companies and homeowners who install solar-power systems. Both the Senate and the House wrote similar bills extending the tax credits and lifting the cap for residential solar-power installation. Until the end of this year, homeowners can receive a federal tax credit of 30% of the cost of a solar-power system, capped at $2,000. With that cap lifted, tax credits to homeowners installing solar-power systems increase dramatically, potentially saving homeowners over $10,000 on home solar systems. In addition, companies that produce electricity from wind will get a one year extension on tax credits, companies that produce electricity from solar will get an eight year extension on tax credits, and companies that produce electricity from other types of alternative energy will get a two year extension on tax credits. Unfortunately, the Senate and House could not agree on how the continuation of tax credits would be paid for. In the past, such cuts were paid for by eliminating tax breaks for hedge fund managers and from tax increases on oil profits. With no progress made by the end of the session, these tax credits would disappear at the beginning of 2009. A coalition of renewable energy industry representatives warned that billions in research and hundreds of thousands of alternative energy jobs would be lost if the tax credits were not renewed. As of last week, this seemed the likely outcome. The Wall Street meltdown and the failure of the House to pass a bailout bill have given the tax credits new life. Read more of this story »